Unagi no Hirota Restaurant is located within walking distance of the north exit of Gotemba JR Station on the second floor of a somewhat derelict building dating back to the bubble era.
Most of the shops in the building are closed but Unagi no Hirota has survived, a good indication of its quality!

The place is busy even on week days, half with tourists, half with locals, who choose a seat at the counter, around the square central table or on the tatami floor.

I would recommend lunch in particular when the prices are more reasonable as eels are increasingly becoming expensive at restaurants serving Japanese eels, not the cheap imported Chinese variety!

All the eels have been raised in Yoshida Cho, by the Suruga Bay in Central Shizuoka Prefecture for the last 40 years and are prepared form live fish on site, ensuring a safe traceability!

Dragon with a smaller appetite had ordered a “Ieyasu” set lunch!

For a closer view of the main dish!

As for me I ordered the “Nobunaga” lunch set which included an extra length of eel!

My eels!

Side vegetable dish for good balance!

I particularly appreciated the fact that the skin (underneath) was more grilled than greasy as in other establishments, making it not only to easier to eat but also far more tasty!
Moreover the eel was basted with the right amount of sauce, not hiding the taste of the eel but actually accentuating it!

Definitely above average. No wonder it had been recommended to us by the locals!

At long last the new craft beer made with local oranges by Aoi Brewing in Shizuoka City is available on tap at AOI BEER STAND in Miyuki-Cho, Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City!

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Shizuoka Prefecture is one of the largest citruses-producing Prefectures in Japan and grows many local varieties.
One is called “Harumi Mikan” and is grown in Shimizu Ku, Shizuoka City!
Aoi Brewing could come up with this fruit beer thanks to the JA and Shizuoka Government cooperation.
It is a brew limited to 450 liters which necessitated the help of other brewers in Shizuoka Prefecture, a true local product!
Judging from the TV coverage and incredible popularity it will soon disappear, but hopefully it will become a regular annual feature!

Overall: very elegant and easy to drink craft beer. Very refreshing. Perfect for a hot afternoon.
Its soft dryness makes for a very satisfying brew that ladies in particular will enjoy, although men did show a keen interest!
Bound to be even more celebrated in the near future!
Top-class fruit beer!